Some senators expressed their sympathies to the family of former congressman and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, who died due to heart attack on Monday.
In a statement, Senator Francis Pangilinan remembered Golez as a “picture of vibrant life and untiring public service until his very last days.”
Pangilinan said that even if Golez has been out of politics for some time, he continued to touch base not only with his former constituents but also with Filipinos all over the country with his journeys to different places.
“Rep. Golez is a true freedom fighter, being one of the few solid voices defending the country’s territorial rights,” Pangilinan noted.
“‘Di ka pasisiil,’ his motto in his social media account, truly fits him,” he added.
For her part, Senator Nancy Binay described Golez as a “voice of reason and conscience, a patriot who was vocal in various national security issues and concerns.”
“We thank him for his long and selfless service to the nation, starting as a Philippine Navy officer and continuing as postmaster general, governor of the Philippine Red Cross, and national security adviser, among others. Non sibi sed patriae (not for self, but country),” she added.
Wit, wisdom will be missed
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, said Golez’s “courage, knowledge and wisdom will be deeply missed.”
“He was the soldier and a gentleman to the hilt. A man of arms who worked for peace. His knowledge of Maritime issues is beyond question as he was once a navy man himself serving in our Armed forces. We will miss him,” Zubiri said.
Although Golez towered in the security and diplomatic circles, Zubiri said he was also “a lover of the common tao.”
“His day was not complete without walking among the masa in Parañaque and praying in Baclaran Church. He walked, shopped, dined, prayed and consoled the common man everyday. We lost a great lawmaker, local government executive, a soldier and a friend,” he added.
Senator Sonny Angara said he was “surprised” over the sudden passing of the “respected House member.”
“Very surprised and saddened to hear of Cong @roilogolez ‘s passing. Condolences to vmayor @ricogolez and family. Was a highly respected member of the House. RIP Manong Roy,” he wrote on Twitter.
Very surprised and saddened to hear of Cong @roilogolez ‘s passing. Condolences to vmayor @ricogolez and family. Was a highly respected member of the House. RIP Manong Roy 🙏🏽
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) June 11, 2018
Senator JV Ejercito also tweeted: “With my deepest sympathies VM @ricogolez on Cong. Roy’s passing.”
With my deepest sympathies VM @ricogolez on Cong. Roy’s passing.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) June 11, 2018
Golez, who served as former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s security adviser, was also a six-term Congress representative of Parañaque City.
READ: Ex-security adviser Roilo Golez succumbs to heart attack
Golez was a graduate of the prestigious US Naval Academy in Maryland, USA and a former Philippine Navy officer.
Golez had been vocal about the government’s handling of the dispute in the South China Sea, as he fiercely advocated for the Philippines’ rights to the West Philippine Sea. /kga